Thinking

I recently accepted a new job offer after only two weeks in my current role in Germany. I started working at an office where everyone has been incredibly nice and supportive, including my boss. They hired me quickly because they needed someone to train in their internal system, and I was just beginning to get familiar with my tasks when I received an offer from another company. This new position offers a 20-25% salary increase and seems to be more interesting and less mentally demanding than my current job. Now, I'm struggling with guilt about leaving so soon. I know my coworkers have been relying on me to ease their workload, and I feel bad about potentially abandoning them during my onboarding phase. I also need to serve a few days' notice since I can't afford a gap between jobs, but I worry that my current employer would prefer I leave immediately since I'm still in training. I'm looking for advice on how to navigate this situation without feeling too guilty. I want to be honest with my boss while also ensuring that I handle my resignation professionally. Should I just be upfront about my reasons for leaving? How can I manage this guilty conscience?

I’ve been working in hospitality for the past five years and have climbed to a relatively high position at a company associated with Lenny Henry. However, over the last year, I’ve been feeling drained by the long hours and the physical toll it’s taken on my health, which has even required medical treatment. The stress has become overwhelming, especially considering the low pay for the demands of the role. I’m ready for a change and have recently been offered a new entry-level admin role within the same company, which comes with a more manageable schedule of Monday to Friday, 9-5, and the option to work from home. While I see this as a great opportunity to gain insight into a different area of work, I’m hesitant to leave my current team. I’ve been with them for so long, and I worry about the impact my departure might have on our operations, especially since we’re in a good place right now. I’ve been going back and forth in my mind about this decision, and the feedback I’ve received from colleagues hasn’t been helpful. I’m looking for advice from anyone who has transitioned from a demanding role in hospitality to a more conventional job. Should I take the leap after five years in a role that I’m starting to dislike?

I graduated with my undergraduate degree a year ago and have been on the job hunt ever since, but I haven't been able to land a position in my desired field. I've applied to numerous jobs and managed to secure interviews—both phone and in-person—sometimes even making it to the second round, but still no job offers. This has led me to question whether the problem lies with me. I've had a friend listen in on my interviews for feedback, and the only critique was that I tend to be too honest. They suggested I should tailor my responses to align more with what the interviewers want to hear. I'm considering pursuing additional certifications or even going back for my master's degree, which I eventually want to do, but I’d like to gain some experience and save up first. Currently, I'm stuck in a job that I dislike and that doesn't relate to my field of study, but at least it's providing me with some income. I'm feeling quite lost and would appreciate any tips on improving my interview skills. How can I practice effectively? And how do I navigate the balance between honesty and presenting myself in the best light to recruiters?

I was laid off at the end of June after over 11 years with the same company. I found out about the layoff at the end of April and had to keep working until my last day. Initially, I started applying for jobs that seemed like a good fit and wouldn't involve a significant pay cut. However, I'm realizing that I'm not sure if I actually want to go back to work. The lack of a structured 9-5 is making me feel mentally unwell and isolated. Financially, my husband and I could manage if I became a stay-at-home wife, especially since we don't have kids yet and may not have any in the future due to fertility issues. But I'm struggling to overcome this mental block. I keep making plans in my head about house projects, meal planning, and working out, but I can't seem to follow through with any of them. I think the grind of corporate life has really drained me, and I might also be dealing with some undiagnosed ADHD paralysis. I'm curious if anyone else is considering not returning to a traditional 9-5 job. What are your plans after a layoff if you don't intend to go back to conventional work? Any advice on how to regain some normalcy for my mental health would be appreciated. On a side note, my husband is fully supportive as long as our bills are paid. I also do some pet sitting on the side to get out of the house and keep from going completely stir-crazy. I'm still applying to remote jobs that align with my previous role, but honestly, I'm not feeling inspired by any of them.

I recently received an invitation for a third interview for a position I'm really excited about. This one will be an in-person panel interview with five people, which feels a bit daunting but also promising. The first interview was with the program manager, who is looking to build her "dream team." It lasted about 20 minutes over a video call and was pretty straightforward. I felt good about it and was offered the second interview right then and there. The second interview was a bit more intense, lasting about an hour and involving a four-person video call. It was a technical interview where they tested my knowledge through a hypothetical company scenario. This was a new experience for me, and while it didn’t directly relate to the role I’m applying for, I managed to answer most questions well and even showcased my strengths on a few. They mentioned they were interviewing other candidates and would get back to me soon, but I was thrilled to receive the invitation for the third interview the very next day. Now, I'm a bit puzzled about what to expect in this upcoming panel interview since I've already gone through a technical round. I suspect this will focus more on how well I fit with the team. It’s scheduled for an hour, and I’m hoping to make a good impression. If anyone has insights on what to expect in a panel setting or tips for team bonding, I’d really appreciate it. I’m generally sociable and adaptable, so I’m confident I can handle the nerves, but I really want this job to move up from my current position.

I have 15 years of experience in sales, particularly in the talent industry, and I've been part of two companies that scaled to unicorn status. My background includes managing teams, training staff, and handling large enterprise deals, along with running a few side businesses. Currently, I'm volunteering as a CEO for a nonprofit while searching for my next opportunity. Despite my extensive experience, I find it incredibly challenging to get past the application stage. I've applied for various sales lead roles, but most of my applications seem to vanish without a response. The few interviews I've secured were primarily through personal connections rather than cold applications. One significant hurdle is the remote work restrictions; many positions labeled as remote still require candidates to reside in specific countries, limiting my options. I'm beginning to question whether my resume is working against me. It might appear too senior or detailed, leading recruiters to think I would be too expensive or not stick around long. I'm considering simplifying my resume and possibly removing some of my side ventures, even though they were successful. It's disheartening to be rejected for roles I know I could excel in. I understand that interviews aren't guaranteed, but it's tough to reconcile my qualifications with the lack of opportunities to discuss them.

I applied for a position a few weeks ago and received an email thanking me for my interest. They invited me to participate in a one-way recorded questionnaire with four questions, and I was given a deadline to complete it by midnight tonight. I was all set to tackle it this morning when I got another email informing me that they would not be moving forward with my application. I'm really confused about why I was rejected before even having a chance to respond to their questions. Now I'm left wondering if I should still attempt to complete the questionnaire or just let it go. It feels frustrating to be in this situation.

I recently experienced a significant setback in my life when I was laid off from my position as a QA / Software Test Engineer at a company starting with 'Am'. This was my first job after completing my engineering degree, and I had been there for two years. Losing this job felt like losing a part of my identity. Coming from a lower-middle-class background, this job allowed me to support my family, buy things I wanted, and enjoy life in ways I never could before. I was proud of my achievements, including receiving an Employee of the Month award just a few months prior. However, everything changed abruptly over 20 days ago when I was informed of my layoff due to project closure and no role requirement. I had been looking forward to a promotion, and the sudden loss has left me feeling anxious and lost. I wake up each day with a heavy heart, struggling with my appetite and motivation. My family has been supportive, but I feel guilty for not being able to fulfill the hopes they had for our future. Every day, I apply to numerous jobs, desperately hoping for a break. Reflecting on my situation, I realize I may have become too comfortable in my role, believing I could build a long-term career there. Now, I see how fragile that belief was. I had dreams of saving money, supporting my family, and advancing in my career, and it's heartbreaking to see those plans put on hold. I'm sharing this not for sympathy, but because I know many others are going through similar struggles. If you're facing the same challenges, know that you're not alone. I hope to look back on this experience one day as just a difficult chapter in my life, rather than the end of my story.

I've been unemployed for about a year now and I'm feeling stuck in my job search. My last job was at a grocery chain where I worked for only about a month before being let go for not working fast enough. The job before that was also short-lived, and I was fired for not passing a driving test due to a policy change that I wasn't aware of until after I was terminated. I'm considering whether I should just leave these short experiences off my resume since they were both under a month. However, I'm worried that omitting them might make it look like I haven't had any job experience at all, which is a concern since I know how important that is for getting hired. I live about 30 minutes away from the nearest job opportunities, and I'm not sure if that distance is affecting my chances. I've only had one interview in this whole year, and it didn't lead to anything. I really want to contribute to my household expenses, and it's frustrating to feel so helpless in this situation.

I've been struggling to find a job lately and it's really starting to feel hopeless. So far, I've only managed to land one position through a temp agency and another through a friend. It seems like applying online is a waste of time, especially since I rarely hear back from employers. I feel like my chances are better at local bars than sending out resumes. I see many places claiming they're hiring, but when I apply, I get no response. I don't think showing up in person would help either. At this point, I'm considering drastic measures just to make ends meet. I'm even contemplating working at a gay strip club if things don't improve soon.

I’ve been reflecting on my career timeline during this tough job market, especially as I’ve been out of work for a while now. I used to work as a Project Manager for three years after starting as a PM assistant for two years. However, I’ve been searching for a new PM role for over a year now without any luck. I’m considering whether it would be better to take a job outside my field, like working as a grocery clerk, just to fill the gap on my resume. I wonder if future employers would view that negatively or if they would prefer to see that I stayed active in some capacity rather than having a long break. I’ve seen mixed opinions on this, and it really depends on the company, but I’m feeling uncertain about the best approach.

I recently applied for a Social Media Manager role through Upwork after being invited by a client. After submitting my cover letter, we had some scheduling issues, but we finally managed to have the interview on the fourth attempt. I felt the interview went really well; we had a productive discussion about social media strategies and content ideas, which felt more like a collaboration than a typical interview. However, it’s been over a week since the interview, and I haven’t heard anything back. This isn’t the first time I’ve faced this situation. I had another interview where the client promised to make a decision the same day, but I never received any follow-up, not even a rejection. I didn’t expect much from that one since I felt I made a few mistakes during the interview. What’s concerning me is that I checked the client’s reviews, and several freelancers noted that they’re not very responsive even after contracts are awarded. I’m unsure how to approach the follow-up; I don’t want to seem pushy or desperate, but I also don’t want to wait indefinitely without reaching out. I’m curious about how others handle these situations. Do you follow up after a week, wait longer, or just assume they’ve moved on?

I've been in a tough spot at my job as a Financial Analyst for the past two months, really feeling the weight of a toxic work environment. I've been with the company for 7 years, but about a year and a half ago, I was involuntarily moved to a new role that is drastically different from what I was doing before. Despite being in the same department, the work has piled up and I've been assigned tasks that I have no training for and that don't align with my job description. Instead of focusing on financial analysis, I'm now doing more developer/programmer work, which is not something I'm interested in at all. I had a candid conversation with my manager about my concerns, but there haven't been any solutions offered. The company has gone through significant cutbacks, including layoffs, and there's currently a hiring freeze, so moving to another role isn't an option. I'm at a crossroads, contemplating whether to stick it out in this miserable situation or finally hand in my resignation. I have about five years' worth of living expenses saved up, so financially, I'm okay. However, this job is seriously affecting my mental health, and I'm worried it will only get worse. I don't want to quit in a fit of rage and leave on bad terms. I'm looking for advice from anyone who has quit without another job lined up—how did you know it was time to leave?

I interviewed for an operations coordinator role last month and went through a comprehensive process that included a recruiter call, an interview with the hiring manager, a panel interview with three team members, and a final conversation with the department director. Everything seemed promising; the hiring manager even said my experience was 'exactly what the team needs.' After the final interview, the recruiter requested three professional references and mentioned they hoped to make a decision by the end of that week. I promptly contacted my references, who confirmed they responded within two days. One reference even mentioned that the recruiter asked detailed questions and indicated I was a strong candidate. However, after that, I heard nothing for almost three weeks. I followed up politely on the following Monday, but received no reply. I sent another email at the end of that week, mainly because my references were inquiring if I had any updates. Still, no response. Then I noticed that the job had been reposted with the same title and description. The application portal still says 'interviewing,' but I haven't been contacted or formally rejected. I'm continuing to apply elsewhere, but it's frustrating to think about the time I invested in the interviews and the effort my references made on my behalf. I expected at least a basic update after they asked for references. Is this kind of silence common in the hiring process now? I understand that hiring can be delayed or budgets can change, but it feels unprofessional to completely disappear after requesting references. Should I send one last email to confirm whether the position is still active, or should I take the reposting as my answer and move on?

I've been with my current company for over five years, and I've always prided myself on my ability to deliver great work without relying on AI tools. Recently, however, management has started pushing for everyone to integrate AI into our workflows, and I'm really struggling with this shift. It feels like they're trying to force us to use AI not just as a tool, but as a replacement for our own efforts. I can't shake the feeling that this is a setup for future layoffs, especially since the company has already gone through several rounds of layoffs in the past couple of years. I've voiced my concerns to my supervisor, but it seems like they either don't recognize the potential consequences or are unwilling to acknowledge them. It's disheartening to see so many companies laying off employees due to AI advancements, and I can't help but feel anxious about my own job security. I'm at a crossroads here — I want to keep my job because I genuinely enjoy it, but I also refuse to let AI dictate my work life. I'm reaching out to see if anyone else has faced a similar situation and how you've managed it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I received an email from Dollar Tree inviting me to set up an interview. They provided a contact number and asked me to share my availability. Now I'm debating whether to call or text the person. Additionally, they mentioned open interviews happening soon. I'm unsure if I should coordinate my schedule with the contact or just show up during the open interview times without making a phone call. I'm leaning towards calling since they specifically gave me a number to reach out to.

I have 7.5 years of experience as an Android Developer and I'm currently facing challenges in my job search. I previously worked at Infosys for over three years, and my last day there was in March 2026. Since then, I've been actively applying for Android roles but have received very few interview calls and often get ghosted after initial discussions. My main skills include Kotlin, Java, Jetpack Compose, MVVM, Clean Architecture, Coroutines, Flow, StateFlow, Live Data, Hilt, Retrofit, Room, BLE/Beacon integrations, POS device and printer integrations, Android Services, CI/CD, Jenkins, and SonarQube. I also have about a year of experience with Flutter. I've worked on various projects across OTT, insurance, food-tech, taxi/mobility, and POS applications. Recently, I've been building my own Android apps to enhance my skills in Compose and Android architecture. I'm not looking for sympathy but rather genuine advice on what I might be doing wrong in my job search. If anyone here is an Android hiring manager, senior Android engineer, recruiter, or has recently switched jobs, I would greatly appreciate it if you could review my profile or resume. Additionally, if your company has a Senior Android Developer opening that aligns with my experience, I would be thankful for a referral. I'm happy to share my resume, LinkedIn, and project details via direct message.

I’m currently on the hunt for a part-time job, but it’s been years since I’ve received any offers. I’ve been seeking feedback on my CV to improve my chances. A friend pointed out that my resume needs work, especially in the heading where I should specify the target role title. They also suggested that my profile paragraph should be more tailored to the specific job I’m applying for, avoiding phrases like 'full availability' and 'available to start immediately,' which can feel outdated. Additionally, my skills section has been described as vague, so I need to make it more concise and impactful, customizing it for each application to highlight the most relevant skills. I’m really hoping to turn things around soon!

I’m a 20-year-old male from the UK and I’m feeling completely lost in the job market. Currently, I’m NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) and it’s really taking a toll on my mental health. I’ve applied to countless jobs without receiving any responses, which has left me feeling helpless and trapped. I’ve attended numerous workshops and conferences aimed at improving my job search skills, but still, I haven’t received any feedback or offers. It’s incredibly frustrating to see my friends and partner getting job responses while I’m left in the dark. I had a job that went on furlough, and since then, I’ve been working hard to enhance my CV and gain experience, but nothing seems to be working. I genuinely don’t want to rely on benefits; I want to earn my own money and contribute positively to society. I’m reaching out for advice because I’m feeling really low and even contemplating suicide due to this situation. I just want to find a way to move forward.

I recently experienced a layoff from my role in tech, where I was earning around $250K in total compensation. I've been reflecting on the advice out there suggesting that people should "learn a trade" as a solution for those of us displaced by layoffs. It feels disingenuous, especially since many of the companies behind this narrative, like Meta, are the same ones conducting mass layoffs. They’re pushing initiatives like America’s Workforce Academy, which offers a five-week course with a credential and a guaranteed job, but those jobs are predominantly at construction sites for their data centers, not local opportunities. This push seems more like a supply chain management strategy than genuine career advice. The reality is that while they need labor for their construction projects, the pay and job security are far from what many expect. I’ve seen stats showing that there are hundreds of thousands of tech layoffs, and the trades are already saturated with workers. The promise of high-paying jobs in trades often overlooks the fact that most positions are just backfills for retirees, and the actual new openings are minimal. Moreover, the narrative around trades often glamorizes the top earners while ignoring the long apprenticeship periods and the reality that many tradespeople earn much less than the stories suggest. The disparity between supply and demand is stark: as tech workers like me are pushed into trades, we risk driving down wages that are already inflated due to scarcity. It’s frustrating to see the same companies that laid us off now trying to dictate our career paths, all while they profit from our displacement.